Lockhart bill refunds fees on teacher certification tests

Gov. Mary Fallin signed a law this week authored by Rep. James Lockhart, D-Heavener, requiring refunds to teachers who paid to take certification exams they already passed.

“I know what it’s like to be right out of college, moving to a new job and not having much money,” said Lockhart. “I am glad to be able to help those teachers out a little bit. These are the folks who are educating my children and our children across the state and we value the work they do.”

Occasionally, teachers will sign up to re-take a certification exam before receiving the results of their first test. Before Lockhart passed and the governor signed HB 1335, teachers did not always receive a full refund for the second, cancelled exam.

Lockhart said he filed the bill after several college education graduates complained about not getting a refund for a teacher certification they already passed. Lockhart said this bill will ease the transition costs and retain new teachers.